An evaluation of the underlying causes of fall-induced hip fractures in elderly persons.

BACKGROUND Falls are the major cause of hip fractures in elderly patients. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the underlying causes of fall-induced hip fractures in the elderly. METHODS The study included 32 patients (18 males, 14 females; mean age 78 years; range 57 to 95 years) who had proximal femoral fractures following an unexpected and sudden fall from about a meter height at a moment of lying, sitting, or standing position. Underlying causes of falls were sought, including previous falls, stroke, polyneuropathy, motion disorders, dementia, vision problems, fainting, vestibular pathologies, and cardiac diseases. RESULTS Eight patients (25%) had a history of previous falls and 12 patients (37.5%) had a history of stroke. Polyneuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, and dementia were diagnosed in eight (25%), three (9.4%), and five (15.6%) patients, respectively. Twenty-one patients (65.6%) had neurologic diseases, 11 patients (34.4%) had cataract or other vision problems, eight patients (25%) had osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, 10 patients (31.3%) had vestibular pathologies, and 17 patients (53.1%) had cardiac diseases such as heart failure, orthostatic hypotension, ischemic heart disease, and arrhythmia. CONCLUSION In order to prevent recurrent falls, risk factors associated with falls should be determined and preventive treatment and measures should be put into practice in elderly patients who have fall-induced injuries.